 Dale Earnhardt's on-track...  Dale Earnhardt's on-track concentration was just part of his reputation as The Intimidator. |
 Earnhardt was a favorite with...  Earnhardt was a favorite with the fans... |
...and the media. |
 Said Earnhardt, Jr. (left)...  Said Earnhardt, Jr. (left) of his dad's popularity and influence on his racing, "It's just like kids growing up wanting to be Michael Jordan or wanting to be Dale Earnhardt. When I was growing up, I wanted to be Dale Earnhardt. He was the champion. He was my dad, but he was the guy who was winning and he was the guy I wanted to be." |
 More important than winning,...  More important than winning, was his family. Here Earnhardt shares victory circle with wife Teresa after he won the 2000 IROC event at Daytona - his 34th victory at Daytona. |
Seven time Winston Cup Champion Dale Earnhardt died tragically only a half-mile from the finish of the 43rd Daytona 500.
The man who some say could "see the air" at Daytona and Talladega had the checkered flag fall for the final time on his illustrious life. A tidal wave of emotions swept through the Daytona International Speedway on Sunday afternoon, from the excitement of Michael Waltrip's first race win in 463 starts to the shock and sorrow felt when the announcement was made of Dale Earnhardts untimely death.
Earnhardt perished not charging for the lead, but selflessly blocking the rest of the field for Michael Waltrip and his son Dale Earnhardt Jr. What irony, the man whom most thought of as a selfish racer, did all he could to protect Waltrip and his son.
Mike Helton, President of NASCAR made the announcement on Sunday at 7 p.m. ET. Undoubtedly this is one of the toughest announcements Ive personally had to make, said Helton. After the accident in Turn Four at the end of the Daytona 500 weve lost Dale Earnhardt.
NASCAR chairman of the board Bill France, Jr. commented NASCAR has lost its greatest driver, and I have personally lost a great friend.
Dr. Steve Bohannon, emergency medical services director of Daytona International Speedway said He had what I feel were life-ending type injuries at the time of impact. Really nothing could be done for him. According to Dr. Bohannon, Earnhardt never showed any sign of life. He went on to say that an autopsy was scheduled for Monday, but added, my speculation would be head injuries, basically to the base of the skull.
Earnhardt earned more wins (34) than any other driver in the history of Daytona International Speedway. The 1979 Winston Cup Rookie of the Year, was the only driver in the series' history to win the championship in his second year. His 76 victories in 676 starts place him sixth on the all time win list. Earnhardt is motorsports leading all-time money winner with $41,639,662 in career earnings.
Earnhardt is survived by his wife Teresa, daughters Kelly King and Taylor, sons Kerry and Dale Jr.